Chile. The Undersecretariat of Telecommunications, Subtel, Compromiso País and Microsoft led the implementation of the first digital connectivity pilot program that uses "TV White Spaces" technology in Chile, an innovation that takes advantage of the open television radio spectrum to transmit high-speed wireless Internet.
The first pilot of this initiative took place last Thursday, September 9, in the Mapuche community josé Painecura, commune of Carahue, Region of La Araucanía, where through this innovative technology the connection was enabled for 120 families, two schools, two rural posts and a weather station.
This technology has different advantages that make it a solution mainly for those most isolated territories of the country. Among its particularities are its low cost, using frequencies that travel longer distances, not requiring a line of sight and better penetrating the mountains and other physical obstacles.
"Chile has become a regional pole of innovation in terms of connectivity, a scenario that is again evident with the implementation of the "TV White Spaces" technology in the José Painecura community, in the Araucanía Region. We have high expectations that this new technology will take advantage of free-to-air television radio spectrum to transmit high-speed wireless Internet. This project will be consolidated and will be added to the multiple alternatives that we have promoted as a Government with the aim of bringing quality and high-speed Internet to the most remote places in our territory, "said the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Francisco Moreno.
"Having access to the digital world and thus being connected brings innumerable benefits: it helps us to have access to services, information, the labor market, better educational opportunities and greater social and cultural integration, among others. From today, thanks to this virtuous public-private effort, the community of José Painecura will be able to use this endless number of benefits and opportunities," said Jacqueline Plass, executive director of Compromiso País.
The initiative is part of the global Microsoft Airband program, which the company promotes collaboration with governments and citizens in the implementation of solutions that bring the Internet to remote areas through White Spaces TV technology.
"For Microsoft, advancing connectivity with purpose is critical to enabling change, closing digital gaps and competitiveness in Chile. With the arrival of the Internet, new opportunities are opening up and this is a fundamental part of our mission: to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more," said Sergio Rademacher, General Manager of Microsoft Chile.
This initiative was born from the joint work of Microsoft with Subtel, Compromiso País, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Chile, Fundación País Digital, Desafío Levantemos Chile, Araucanía Digital, NIC Chile, GTD, Telsur, YBS Telecom, Radwin and Silica Networks.
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